Dec. 30, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Wisconsin Badgers used three-pointers early and often to outlast the Boilermakers 68-66. It was the first win for Wisconsin at Mackey Arena since 1984, ending a 22-game winning streak for Purdue.
Purdue came out hot as junior guard Brittany Rayburn hit her first three attempts from beyond the arc to help Purdue to a one point lead at 17-16 with 11:12 in the first half. However, the Boilermakers' shooting was not enough to pull away from the Badgers as their were six lead changes and four ties in the first half alone.
Wisconsin's three-point shooting helped the Badgers build a 36-30 first-half margin. Wisconsin, who came into the game averaging 26.7 percent from beyond the arc, hit eight of its 12 first-half three-point attempts.
The Badgers three-point shooting was not limited to just the first period as they hit their first two attempts of the second half and would eventually finish 11 of 18 from beyond the arc. The 61.1 percent was the highest three-point percentage by a Purdue opponent this season.
An outstanding individual effort by Rayburn was not enough to overcome the second half deficit. The Attica, Ind., native went 4 of 7 from three-point range and finished with 26 points. It was the fourth time this season the junior guard has tallied more than 20 points. Rayburn also went 8 of 8 from the free-throw line, extending her free-throw streak to 32 consecutive makes, just six shy of her own school record of 38.
The Badgers shot the ball well and took extremely good care of the ball, while playing excellent interior defense. The Boilermakers were only able to force the Badgers into 11 turnovers and junior guard Taylor Wurtz, who went 5 of 7 from beyond the arc, led the Badgers with 19 points.
The Boilermakers, who outrebounded the Badgers by 11, simply could not overcome Wisconsin's shooting. Purdue had three opportunities to tie it or take the lead in the final 38 seconds, but missed two attempts and turned the ball over once. With 2.2 seconds to play, junior guard Antionette Howard had one last desperation heave from three-quarters court fall short.
The Boilermakers next game will be Jan. 2 at Northwestern. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET. Visit purduesports.com for previews, updates and recaps.